Parliamentarians in Benin have voted to legalize abortion in the West African country, where it was already authorized under restricted conditions.

Under the new law passed late on Wednesday women can terminate a pregnancy within the first three months if it is likely to “aggravate or cause material, educational, professional or moral distress, incompatible with the woman or the unborn child’s interest”.

Previously, abortion was authorized if pursing the pregnancy “threatened the life of the mother”, was “the result of a rape or incest” or when “the unborn child has a particularly severe affection”.

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After a heated debate in parliament, with some lawmakers strongly opposed to illegalizing abortion further, the amendment finally passed.

“In Benin, nearly 200 women die each year as the result of abortion complications,” said the health minister Benjamin Hounkpatin in a statement Thursday.

“This measure will be a relief for many women who face undesired pregnancies, and are forced to put their lives in danger with botched abortions,” he added.

The influential Episcopal Conference of Benin said in a statement that it was “highly preoccupied by the proposed law to legalize abortions”

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Lawmakers In Benin Republic Vote To Legalize Abortion

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has commended Nigerian youth protesting against police brutality and injustices, as scores gather at the Lekki toll gate to mark the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.

Mr Saraki urged Nigerians in a statement on Wednesday morning not to forget the peaceful protest that was held last year.

Calling for comprehensive police reforms, Mr Saraki criticised the federal government for not resolving the issues that led to the protest a year after.

“It is worrying that despite the acceptance of the “5 for 5 Demands,” nothing has really been done to resolve the issues that caused protests in the first place,” he said.

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Mr Saraki who served as the 13th President of the Nigeria Senate, mentioned that the security operatives guilty of the crimes against Nigerians during the protest have not been prosecuted or brought to justice.

“None of the policemen accused of torturing and extrajudicially murdering Nigerian citizens have been brought to justice, there has been no marked improvement in the funding or quality of equipment available to the Nigerian Police Force and these incidents of torture continue in many security facilities nationwide,” Mr Saraki said.

He condemned a situation where many young Nigerians remain in police detention without, adding that rather than trial abide by the laws, the police continue to threaten Nigerians that are expressing their rights to protest.

“None of the perpetrators of the attacks on Nigerians exercising their rights to peaceful assembly have been arrested or prosecuted, despite many of them being identified.

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“Similarly, none of the perpetrators of mindless acts of destruction and looting of property worth billions of Naira have been arrested or brought to justice,” he said.

He asked the federal government to engage with Nigerians and respect their “constitutional rights and freedoms or face the risk of creating an atmosphere that enables a breakdown of law and order.”

The former senate president said “Today represents an opportunity for the government to begin the police and justice sector reforms our country so badly needs. It is an opportunity I appeal to the government to take,” he added. 

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has commending Nigerian youth for protesting against police brutality 

Respect protesters rights or risk anarchy, Saraki says

At least two men attending the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest of October 20, 2020 have been arrested by the police at the Lekki toll gate.

The first said he’s a journalist with online blogging platform LEGIT TV, was arrested filming the protest. The other man had a banner with #EndSARS inscription.

Responding to questions from the police van where he was being held, the journalist who introduced himself as Abisola Alawode, said he was arrested for not having an identification card.

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“I am a journalist but my phone, drivers license and other identifying documents have been seized by the police, I was only making videos and I kept on identifying myself,” Mr Alawode said.

Nigerian youths have vowed to defy an unlawful order by the police banning protests across the country to mark the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.

Despite the police vowing to forcefully prevent protests from holding, young Nigerians say they will proceed with peaceful demonstrations to mark the anniversary.

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Police arrest journalist, protester at Lekki toll gate

Greece on Tuesday handed over the Olympic flame to organizers of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, a day after the lighting ceremony was disrupted by activists calling for the event to be postponed.

Hellenic Olympic Committee chief Spyros Kapralos gave the Olympic torch to the vice-president of Beijing 2022 and vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee Yu Zaiqing at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, where the ancient Games were revived in 1896.

“The Olympic flame will travel to the Great Wall and across other parts of China, bringing with it the light of peace and friendship,” Yu said.

He said China vowed to deliver “a streamlined, safe and splendid Games”.

Around 2,900 athletes, representing approximately 85 National Olympic Committees, will compete in the Winter Games between 4 and 20 February 2022.

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Actresses dressed as ancient Greek priestesses had earlier lit a cauldron with the Olympic flame, after China’s Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010 freestyle ski silver medallist Li Nina ran a lap with the torch in the second-century AD stadium.

The ceremony was held without spectators, with mainly officials and media in attendance.

“The pandemic may have prevented us from holding the Olympic flame ceremony in the presence of people, but I am sure that the successful and safe organisation of the Games will be another victory of humanity against the coronavirus,” Kapralos said.

“Beijing is making history by becoming the first city to host both Summer and Winter Olympic Games. And we are very happy, because by giving you the flame, we also become part of this history,” he added.

The International Olympic Committee has said the flame will go on display to the public in Beijing before setting off on an exhibition tour.

Earlier Tuesday, activists against the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics urged the IOC to postpone the event, arguing that China was perpetrating “genocide” against Uyghurs and Tibetans.

“This is sports-washing. There are no legitimate reasons to host the Games during a genocide,” Zumretay Arkin, advocacy manager of the World Uyghur Congress, told a news conference in the Greek capital.

During the lighting ceremony in Olympia on Monday, the activists unfurled a Tibetan flag and a banner that said “no genocide” at the Games. A similar protest was held at the Acropolis in Athens on Sunday.

Human rights campaigners and exiles say the Chinese central government practices religious repression, torture, forced sterilisation, and cultural erosion through forced re-education.

Campaigners believe that at least one million Uyghurs and other Turkic-speaking, mostly Muslim minorities are incarcerated in camps in Xinjiang.

After initially denying the existence of the Xinjiang camps, China later defended them as vocational training centers aimed at reducing the appeal of Islamic extremism.

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The IOC is legitimising “one of the worst violations of human rights in the entire 21st century” and defiling the spirit of the Games, Pema Doma, campaigns director for Students for a Free Tibet, told the news conference in Athens.

“These Games cannot go ahead as planned, they must be postponed,” she said.

There have also been calls for athletes and governments to boycott the Games.

IOC chairman Thomas Bach has batted off talk of a potential boycott, claiming the International Olympic Committee’s political neutrality and saying it was up to governments to live up to their responsibilities.

A victim of the 1980 Moscow Games boycott, the former fencer has said such moves only punish athletes, and insists the IOC was addressing the rights issue “within our remit”.

Greece Hands Over Olympic Flame To Beijing 2022 Hosts

Seven years of conflict in Yemen has killed or injured at least 10,000 children, UNICEF said Tuesday after a mission to the country.

“The Yemen conflict has just hit another shameful milestone: 10,000 children have been killed or maimed since fighting started in March 2015. That’s the equivalent of four children every day,” spokesman James Elder told a UN briefing in Geneva where he urged an end to the fighting.

The figure only included child victims whose fates were known to the organization and there were countless others, he said.

“UNICEF urgently needs more than $235 million to continue its life-saving work in Yemen till mid-2022,” Elder said.

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“Otherwise the agency will be forced to scale down or stop its vital assistance for vulnerable children. Funding is critical. We can draw a clear line between donor support and lives saved. But even with increased support, the war must come to an end.”

“At the current funding levels, and without an end to fighting, UNICEF cannot reach all these children. There is no other way to say this –- without more international support, more children – those who bear no responsibility for this crisis -– will die,” he warned.

“Yemen’s humanitarian crisis –- the world’s worst — represents a tragic convergence of four threats: (1) A violent and protracted conflict, (2) economic devastation, (3) shattered services for every support system – that is, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, protection and education, and (4) a critically under-funded UN response,” Elder went on.

“Four out of every five children need humanitarian assistance. That’s more than 11 million children.”

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In addition, “400,000 children suffer from severe acute malnutrition. More than two million children are out-of-school. Another four million are at risk of dropping out,” said Elder.

The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when Iran-backed Huthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year.

Tens of thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced.

10,000 Children Killed, Maimed In Yemen, Says UN

A fire broke out Monday in Kuwait’s largest oil refinery, causing several injuries but no interruptions to site operations or petrol exports.

Plumes of smoke rose above the Mina Al-Ahmadi facility, located on the Gulf coast just opposite Iran, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the capital Kuwait City, according to an AFP photojournalist.

The Kuwait National Petrol Company, after initially stating that there were no casualties, later tweeted that there were a number of injuries and cases of smoke inhalation among workers.

It said that those injured had received first aid at the site, or been transported to a hospital and were in a “stable condition”.

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Approximately two hours after the company reported firefighters were at the scene, it tweeted that the blaze was under “full control”.

The Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, on a 10.5 square kilometre site, began operating in 1949.

It is the largest of three refineries of the state petrol company, producing about 466,000 barrels of petrol per day.

A fourth refinery with a production capacity of 615,000 barrels per day is under construction and set to begin operation by the end of the year.

The oil-rich Gulf emirate produces about 2.4 million barrels of petrol per day, most of which is exported.

Fire Breaks Out In Kuwait’s Largest Oil Refinery

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has ordered the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately release the international passport of the former governor of Rivers State Peter Odili.

Delivering the Judgement on Monday, the ruling judge declared the seizure by the service as illegal, unconstitutional and an infringement of his fundamental rights.

He further ordered the service, to tender an apology to the former governor, and restrained the NIS from harassing and intimidating him from leaving the country or moving freely within the country.

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Justice Ekwo added that the seizure of the former governor’s passport, was a punitive act and no citizen should be treated in such a manner, irrespective of status.

The former governor had filed a suit against the immigration service challenging the seizure of his passport at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on 20 June 2021, upon his arrival into the country.

The service, however, told the court that it acted based on Mr Odili’s presence on a EFCC corruption watchlist.

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Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has ordered the Nigerian Immigration Service

Court Orders Immigration To Release Peter Odili’s Passport

The Peoples Democratic Party yet again has extended the closing date for the sale of nomination forms for the Ekiti State governorship election.

The party had earlier slated October 14, 2021, as the closing date for the sale of forms.

However, a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, revealed October 22, 2021, as the new closing date.

“To that effect, the last date for the submission of duly completed forms has also been extended from the earlier Friday, October 15, 2021, to Friday, October 29, 2021.

“Consequently, the screening of aspirants for the governorship election primary has been scheduled to hold on Monday, November 8, 2021, at the National Secretariat, Abuja, while the screening appeals have been slated for Monday, November 29, 2021.

“All aspirants, critical stakeholders, and teeming members of our party, particularly in Ekiti State, are to by this, be guided accordingly,” the statement read in part.

The party had yesterday approved the extension of sale of nomination forms for national officers for the October 30 to 31 National Convention, from the earlier announced date of Friday, October 15, 2021, to Sunday, October 17, 2021.

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Ekiti sect of the People's democratic party

PDP extends sale of forms for Ekiti gov election yet again

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Thursday in Abuja predicted sunny skies to prevail over the northern region on Friday with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Taraba during the morning hours.

According to the weather agency, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated in Adamawa, Taraba and southern Borno later in the day.

“Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the North-Central region with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory during the afternoon and evening hours,” it predicted. “Cloudy skies should prevail over the inland and coastal cities of the South with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over the coastal parts of Ogun and Akwa Ibom states during the morning hours.”

Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms should be expected in parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Edo, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom, it added.

The agency forecasted sunny skies over the Northern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Yobe and Jigawa states on Saturday.

It, however, anticipated isolated thunderstorms over parts of the northern cities of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Bauchi during the afternoon and evening hours.

According to NiMet, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are anticipated over the North-Central region, with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Nasarawa, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.

“As the day progresses, we have good prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kwara, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory. The inland and the coastal cities of the South should be predominantly cloudy with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River during the morning hours,” said NiMet.

It also forecasted isolated thunderstorms in Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom during the afternoon and evening hours.

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According to NiMet, cloudy skies with spells of sunshine should prevail over the Northern region on Sunday with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna and Zamfara later in the day.

Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine over the North-Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Kogi, Nasarawa, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory are also expected.

The agency anticipated isolated thunderstorms in Plateau, Niger, Kwara and the FCT later in the day.

“The inland and the coastal cities of the South should be predominantly cloudy with prospects of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Ebonyi, Ondo, Osun, Imo, Ekiti, Ogun, Anambra, Oyo, Abia, Enugu, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom later in the day,“ it said.

Expect thunderstorms across Nigeria Friday to Sunday — NiMet

The Supreme Court has confirmed Professor Charles Soludo as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the Anambra election slated to hold on November 6, 2021.

The five-man panel led by Justice Mary Odili also affirmed Mr. Victor Oye as the  chairman of the party.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of justices led by Justice Mary Odili, upheld the judgement of the Kano State Division of the Court of Appeal, which validated the primary election that produced Soludo.

According to the Supreme Court, the appellate court was right when it quashed a Jigawa State High Court judgement that recognised a parallel primary election that was conducted by the Jude Okeke-led faction of APGA.

It will be recalled that Soludo emerged from the primary election that was organised by the Chief Victor Oye-led faction of the party.

Supreme Court Confirms Soludo As APGA’s Candidate

The 2021 Handball Premier League is set to commence on October 20 and run till November 4 at the Indoor Sports Hall, Package B of the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The top-tier league in Nigeria, in its 4th edition, will feature 22 teams (12 male, 10 female) that will compete on round-robin basis for a chance to win the competition.

There will be live streaming of matches on HFN TV or Facebook and the Handball Federation of Nigeria YouTube channel.

Secretary-General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Alhaji Maigidansanma Mohammed has emphasised the need for teams to conclude registration before the weekend.

“It’s going to be a better competition than last season and that is why I urge participating teams to ensure that they complete their transfer registrations so that there won’t be any hitches ahead of the commencement of the league,” Alhaji Maigidansanma said.

Returning President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Samuel Ocheho has assured that this year’s edition will be used to improve on talent discovery and development.

“The Prudent Energy Handball Premier League 2021 will be better than the previous season and for us as a federation, we thank Prudent Energy And Services for keeping faith with us for the past four years,” Ocheho said.

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“This will afford us the opportunity to continue to discover new talents with great potentials and help them to maximize it. We will not relent until we do so,” Ocheho concluded.

Promoted teams in the male category are Tojemarine of Lagos, champions of the National Division One League which was held in Benin City, Edo State and Police Machine while in the female category, Bayelsa Queens and Confluence Queens will join the league after their promotion from the National Division One League

Handball Premier League To Kick-off Oct 20 In Abuja

South Korean drama ‘Squid Game’ has become Netflix’s most popular series launch ever, after garnering 111 million fans since its debut less than four weeks ago, the streaming service confirmed.

The unprecedented global viral hit imagines a macabre world in which marginalized people are pitted against one another in traditional children’s games.

While the victor can earn millions in cash, losing players are killed.

Spreading around the world by word of mouth, especially via social media, “Squid Game” has topped Netflix charts in more than 80 countries.

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“Squid Game has officially reached 111 million fans — making it our biggest series launch ever!” tweeted Netflix.

By comparison, Regency romp “Bridgerton” reached 82 million households on debut, using Netflix’s internal metric which includes any account that watched an episode for at least two minutes.

The success of “Squid Game” amplifies South Korea’s increasingly outsized influence on global popular culture, following the likes of K-pop band BTS and Oscar-winning movie “Parasite.”

It is also the latest success for Netflix’s bid to produce more international and non-English language content. The streamer’s third most-watched series debut for instance is French-language “Lupin.”

Netflix offers “Squid Game” in both dubbed and subtitled versions in multiple languages, expanding its potential audience.

In February, the world’s most popular streaming platform announced plans to spend $500 million this year alone on series and films produced in South Korea.

'Squid Game’ Becomes Netflix’s Biggest Series Launch Ever

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.